Wednesday, July 4, 2012

Kale and Kernels

July 4th. A BIG day here in America. A British friend of my husband's said, "I don't think I'll join in the celebration - it really wasn't a good day for us." Tee-hee-tee-hee.

My day started out with a trip to the Farmer's Market with my friend Lisa. I bought fresh kale, cilantro, onions, and my FAVORITE: Koated Kernals...so NOT a vegetable! But OH SO DELICIOUS! It is a start-up company of it's parent company Jolly Time Popcorn, a fourth generation family run business that started in Sioux City in 1914. Koated Kernals are sinfully good!

Since it is a historical day here in the U.S. I'm sharing some FUN facts about the history of Jolly Time - which coincidentally has an address of One Fun Place.

1914 - Cloid Smith – the founding father of JOLLY TIME® Pop Corn – and his son, Howard Smith, set up shop in their Sioux City, Iowa, home. From their basement they shell, clean and package the first branded popcorn in the U.S.

I personally like the 'already popped popcorn' that I can buy directly at the factory. It is HUGE bag (think large kitchen trash can liner size) and only costs $5.00. I occasionally purchase a bag and take it to work. It is a big hit with co-workers and the students (not such a big hit with the custodial staff.. I have been known to mail a giant bag or two to my sister in Atlanta, GA. It's just THAT GOOD!

Last Saturday's trip to the Farmer's Market I bought a 'bouquet' of sunflowers that I have enjoyed all week in my office. This sunny bunch inspired this card. Well that and I am easily distracted...I was looking for something (can't remember now what I was looking for nor can I remember if I found it!) and I ran across a stamp that my niece Linda gave me LONG ago when she designed stamps for Chunky Stamps...remember those?

Speaking of the Farmer's Market - hard to believe the entire area was under water last summer from the flood of 2011... As the t-shirt says, "Flood SUX". True that! (MORE history - the FAA's airport designation for my dear hometown of Sioux City is SUX" -- it has to be one of the all time worse 'handles' EVER. However we have made the best of it branding everything from "flood SUX" to "snow SUX" to work SUX"...

Back to the card...did I mention that easily distracted trait... Ever start out making a card and as you are making it thinking...this is NOT working...this is going to end up in the trash heap? Well this one was perilously close to making to 'the heap'. But I think it deserves to be a survivor.

I really like shopping at Target. I mean I REALLY like shopping at Target (or as my friend Lisa calls it "the hundred dollar store&quot...

Buwahhahahah! College Student Quotes!

New Alum: When I get married I want to have 9 babies. Me: You want 9 children? Alum: Yes. All born in the same year. Me: So you are saying you want to father a litter. Alum: Litter? No. I want a baseball team. Me: Would you consider 9 babies over - say - the course of 3-4 years? Alum: (furrowed brow/hesitation) I suppose I could deal with that. Me: You do realize you don't even have a girlfriend yet. Alum: I've had girlfriends. The 9 babies clause seems to be a deal breaker for some reason. Me: How do you feel about tennis?

Biology Major: "I had my first day in the cadaver lab today." Me: "Oh? And what was it like?" Student: "The morgue must have had her on her stomach because her breasts were kinda squished on to her sides." Me: "Maybe you should retake physics." Student: "Why?" Me: "One word...gravity." Student.....(wait for it....wait for it...imagine a light bulb above his head....the light bulb turns on..."Oh. OH! Really?" Me: "How was theology class?"

"When they put the name above your first classroom door - you know you really have a 'big girl' job"

"We know when you close the blinds on your office door window that 'Sh!t just got real' and we shouldn't bother you."

"Raisin cookies that look like chocolate chip cookies are the main reason I have trust issues."

Me: "You have on one green sock and one pink sock." Student: "Life is too short to sort socks."

"I'm too young to be this broke!"

"I love college! Except for the reading. I really don't like to read. I hate it when we have quizes. Oh and I really don't like doing research. And I really don't like to write papers. Other than that I love college!"